Golf bag flexible cover structure having detachable backpack unit

ABSTRACT

A flexible cover structure for enclosing and protecting a golf club bag during its handling and transport, the cover structure including a cover member and a rigid base member having dual spaced-apart rollers and support pedestals, and including elongated skid bumper rails attached to and extending along its lower back side. The cover structure includes a detachable bag or backpack unit located at the lower front side of the cover structure and removably attached by a zipper. The detachable bag unit has a main inner compartment closable by a zipper extending across its opposite sides and upper portion, a secondary inner compartment closable by a zipper, and a front pocket closable by a zipper. The backpack unit has dual shoulder straps provided on its rear side for convenient use by a golfer and hiker.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention pertains to a golf bag flexible travel cover structure having at least one detachable external bag unit. It pertains particularly to an improved golf bag flexible travel cover structure including a backpack unit removably attached by fastener means to a lower outer front surface of the cover. The detachable bag unit affixed to the exterior of the cover structure is readily removable and has independent functional use such as for a backpack unit. This arrangement for a golf bag flexible cover structure having at least one detachable bag or backpack unit provides for desirable adaptability in its usage, permitting temporary storage of the flexible travel cover after its use by a golfer during travel, and subsequent independent use of the detachable bag unit.

[0002] Because of a definite need by golfers to contain and protect their valuable golf bags containing several expensive clubs during travel by public transportation, thereby requiring handling by baggage handling personnel and equipment, various protective cover configurations for such golf bags have been developed and marketed. Also, it is usually desirable for a traveling golfer to carry along various other items of equipment or clothing, which can be conveniently contained in at least one bag unit removably attached to the golf bag cover. Although some such golf bag covers have been previously developed and are disclosed in the prior art, they have various deficiencies in their structure and/or utility for a traveling golfer.

[0003] Pertinent prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,189 to Baum discloses a flexible garment bag having separable side bags attached thereto by zippers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,818 to Johnson discloses an elongated horizontal golf bag carrier having flexible side walls and multiple wheels, and has internal impact absorbing panels included in each end. U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,894 to Dunn discloses an upright flexible wheeled cover for a golf bag which has a zippered closure and a permanently attached side pouch for containing golfing equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,519 to Meyer et al discloses a substantially rigid golf bag which includes a detachable storage pouch, carrying strap and detachable wheels to facilitate movement of the bag during travel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,155 to Geary discloses a structured main luggage bag having dual wheels and a small tote bag removably attached onto its outer front side. U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,402 to Godshaw discloses a flexible foldable luggage carrier having attached pouches. U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,425 to Latshaw discloses a rigid container or cover unit for enclosing a golf bag, and includes dual wheels and at least one smaller piece of luggage removably attached to the main container by mating snap fasteners. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,926 to Pratt discloses a backpack unit having a detachable portion. However, further improvements in flexible travel covers for golf bags are desired by many golfers to provide increased convenience and flexibility in their use during and after travel by public transportation such as in airports.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of this invention to provide an improved flexible cover structure for golf bags which provides added convenience and safety for retaining a golf bag therein during handling and travel by public transportation.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide a cover structure for golf bags which alone is flexible and light weight, but when enclosing a golf bag has sufficient rigidity to permit convenient and reliable handling during travel.

[0006] A further object is to provide such a flexible cover structure including at least one smaller detachable bag unit which is removably attached to the cover lower front side and is adapted for independent use such as preferably a backpack unit.

[0007] This invention provides an improved golf bag generally flexible travel cover structure adapted for enclosing and protecting a golf bag containing several clubs, such as during baggage handling and travel on public transportation and particularly on airplanes and trains. The cover structure is shaped for reliably enclosing a golf bag for convenient and safe handling by personnel during its transport, and includes at least one smaller bag such as a backpack unit removably attached by suitable fastening means such as by snaps or zipper means to the cover structure outer surface at its front lower portion.

[0008] The golf bag cover structure has an elongated and generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, and is made of a durable flexible waterproof fabric material such as canvas, nylon or polyester stitched together with beading provided along the seams. The cover structure includes a rigid base member located at the cover lower end, and which has a rear extended portion extending upwardly along its rear side. The base member is equipped with dual rollers and dual pedestals attached to the rigid base member lower surface,, and also includes multiple elongated rigid spaced-apart bumper elements firmly attached to the rigid base member rear extended portion outer wall, and extending longitudinally for facilitating handling of the bag cover structure over uneven surfaces and particularly on stairs. The cover structure upper portion includes dual internal padding elements located on its front and rear sides and adapted for cushioning and protecting the golf club heads during handling. The cover structure also includes a towing handle provided at the cover structure upper end, and also has a carrying handle provided along one side of the cover at an intermediate location. It is an important feature of this invention to provide a cover structure for golf bags which alone is inherently relatively flexible and light weight, but whenever a golf bag is enclosed inside the cover structure becomes sufficiently rigid to provide for convenient handling during transport.

[0009] The cover structure of this invention includes a detachable bag unit such as preferably a backpack unit removably attached by suitable means such as by snaps or zipper onto the cover structure outer surface at its front lower portion. . The detachable backpack unit is preferably removable by a continuous zipper, which is sewn to a lower front portion of the golf bag travel cover and also to the rear periphery of the backpack unit. The detachable backpack unit includes a rearward main inner compartment which is closable by a zipper fastener extending along its opposite sides and upper end, and also includes a front smaller forward secondary compartment which is closable by a zipper extending along its sides and across its upper end. The backpack unit is provided with dual shoulder straps attached along the unit rearward side, and adapted for being placed around the shoulders of a hiker.. The golf bag cover structure and the detachable backpack unit of this invention advantageously provides complementary equipment and function for traveling golfers and hikers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of the golf bag cover structure having a smaller bag unit detachably provided at the cover lower front side according to this invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a left side view of the cover structure taken along section lines 2-2′ of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cover structure taken along section lines 3-3′ of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective elevational view of the detached backpack unit after its removal from the cover structure; and

[0014]FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the rearward side of the detached backpack unit taken along section lines 5-5′ of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0015] As shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, the golf bag cover structure 10 according to this invention has an elongated configuration and a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. The cover structure 10 includes a flexible fabric cover member 11 which has a front side 12, two opposite narrower sides 13 a and 13 b, and a rear side 14. The cover structure 10 has an upper towing handle 16 attached securely onto the cover member upper end, and also has a side carrying handle 18 attached securely onto cover side 13 a at an intermediate position to provide convenient handling of the cover structure during travel by a golfer.

[0016] The flexible cover member 11 of structure 10 provides an inner enclosure 11 a which is sized for receiving a golf club bag B (shown in dotted lines), and is closable by an elongated zipper fastener 19 extending across the cover member upper end and downwardly along the side 13 a adjacent to the front side 12. The cover structure 10 has provided at its lower end a rigid base member 20 made of a molded plastic material, and which extends across the bottom end and also upwardly as rear extended portion 20 a along the cover structure lower rear portion for a distance equal to about ⅓ of the cover structure total length. As shown by FIG. 2, the base member 20 has a concave curved shape and includes dual spaced-apart rollers 22 and dual pedestals 24, which are further shown by FIG. 3. The rollers 22 are each fitted into a cavity or recess 23 formed within the rigid base member 20. Dual elongated spaced-apart rigid bumper rail elements 26 are attached securely onto the rear extended portion 20 a of the base member 20 and extend longitudinally for providing protection of the cover 11 against abrasion and wear during handling, particularly on stairs. The base member 20 and rear upward extension 20 a are both covered with an inner lining fabric material at 27.

[0017] Provided within the upper portion of cover structure 10 are dual resilient padding elements 30 and 32 each composed of a foamed plastic material and covered with a thin fabric inner lining 33, and which are securely stitched to the inside of cover member front and rear sides 12 and 14, respectively. These padding elements 30 and 32 each extend downwardly about one third of the cover structure total length, and are adapted to absorb and minimize impact shock and prevent damage to the golf club heads during handling of the cover structure 10, whether it is in a horizontal or upright position. Also, a strap means 34 is provided attached to the inner rear side 14 of the cover structure 10 for use in holding a golf bag “B” (shown in dotted lines) securely within the inner enclosure 11 a of the cover structure 10 by the strap 34, prior to the enclosure 11 being closed by the elongated zipper 19.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided at the lower front surface 12 of the cover structure 10 a detachable bag unit 36. The bag unit 36 is formed of a waterproof fabric material such as nylon or polyester, and is attached to the cover member 11 by a continuous zipper 38, which extends entirely around the outer edges of the bag unit 36, and has one of the zipper elements 38 a stitched onto the cover member front side 12, and the other zipper element 38 b is stitched onto the rear side of the bag unit 36. As shown by FIG. 4, the bag unit 36 has a main rearward inner compartment 40 which is closable by a zipper 41 extending along the bag unit opposite sides and across its upper end. The inner compartment 40 includes two inner pockets (not shown) attached to its rearward side. The forward side of the detachable bag unit 36 is provided with a secondary forward compartment 42, which is closable across its upper end and two parallel sides by a zipper 43. Also, the front side of bag unit 36 includes a small pocket 44 which is closable across its upper end by a transverse zipper 45. A flexible handle 46 is provided securely attached onto the rear side of the bag unit 36 at its upper end.

[0019] As shown by FIGS. 4 and 5, bag unit 36 is preferably a backpack unit adapted for providing a backpack function. For this purpose, dual spaced-apart shoulder straps 48 are provided which are each attached onto the rear side of the backpack unit 36. The shoulder straps 48 are each attached at its upper end 47 at a location adjacent and below the flexible handle 46, and are each attached at its lower end 49 to the rear outer edges of backpack unit 36. If desired, a second similar detachable bag or backpack unit 36 a can be provided in the space above the backpack 36 and below the front padding element 30, as shown in dotted lines by FIG. 2. After the detachable bag or backpack unit 36 has been removed from the cover structure 12, the latter can be conveniently folded and stored until again needed at a later time for enclosing a golf bag during travel.

[0020] This golf bag cover structure will now be described further by aid of the following example, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE

[0021] A golf bag flexible travel cover structure is provided, which is elongated and has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and is made of polyester waterproof fabric material stitched together with beading provided at seams along the edges of the cover. The cover structure has a rigid lower base member having dual spaced-apart wheels and dual spaced-apart support pedestals, and also has dual spaced-apart elongated bumper elements provided attached longitudinally to the base member extended rear side portion. The cover structure is adapted for enclosing and protecting a golf club bag and includes a detachable bag unit located on the cover lower front side and is adapted to be usable as a backpack.

[0022] Some important dimensions and features of the golf bag cover structure and detachable bag are as follows: Cover structure overall length, in. 48-50 Cover structure overall width, in. 13-14 Cover structure overall thickness, in.  9-10 Cover member inner padding length, in. 13-14 Cover inner padding thickness, in.   1-1.2 Base member width, in. 14 Backpack unit length, in. 15 Backpack unit width, in. 12-13

[0023] Although this invention has been described broadly and includes preferred embodiment, it will be understood that modifications and variations can be made all within the scope as defined by the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. A flexible cover structure adapted for protectively enclosing a golf club bag, the cover structure comprising: an elongated flexible cover member having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and providing an inner enclosure, said cover member having front, rear and two opposite sides, and having a fastener means extending along one of the cover member two opposite sides and along its upper and lower end portions; a rigid base member provided attached to said cover member lower end, said base member having a rear extended portion extending upwardly along said cover member rear side, said base member having dual spaced-apart rollers and dual spaced-apart pedestals attached on the base member lower surface and arranged for supporting the cover member when in a generally upright position; multiple elongated rigid spaced-apart bumper elements fixedly attached longitudinally to said rigid base member rear extended portion along its outer rear side; a handle means attached to said cover member upper end portion, and a handle means attached to said cover member along one side portion at an intermediate location thereof, said handles adapted for moving or carrying the cover structure; and at least one detachable bag unit removably attached to said cover member lower front side by fastener means extending around the bag unit periphery, whereby said cover structure can securely retain a golf bag within said inner enclosure, and said detachable bag unit can be detached from said flexible cover member for independent use.
 2. The flexible cover structure of claim 1, including strap means attached to said cover member inner rear wall within said inner enclosure for reliably retaining a golf club bag therein.
 3. The flexible cover structure of claim 1, wherein said rigid base member and rear extension are covered by flexible inner liner material.
 4. The flexible cover structure of claim 1, including dual resilient padding elements provided for said enclosure at its upper end on its opposite front and rear sides.
 5. The flexible cover structure of claim 1, wherein said detachable bag unit is attached to said cover member by a continuous zipper.
 6. The flexible cover structure of claim 2, including a golf club bag and clubs retained within said enclosure.
 7. The flexible cover structure of claim 1, wherein said detachable bag unit has a main rearward inner compartment closable by a zipper extending around the bag unit edges and upper end, and a secondary forward compartment closable by a zipper extending along the bag unit front side.
 8. The flexible cover structure of claim 6, wherein said main rearward inner compartment has dual pockets provided on the compartment rear wall.
 9. The flexible cover structure of claim 6, wherein said detachable bag unit has a front pocket which is closable by a zipper provided transversely at the pocket upper end.
 10. The flexible cover structure of claim 1, wherein said detachable bag unit includes a flexible handle centrally located at the bag rear side upper end.
 11. The flexible cover structure of claim 6, wherein said detachable bag unit is a backpack having dual shoulder straps provided on the backpack rear side, said shoulder straps being adapted for attaching the backpack onto the shoulders of a user.
 12. The flexible cover structure of claim 11, wherein said dual shoulder straps are each attached at its upper end at a location adjacent and below said handle, and are each attached at its lower end at the outer edge of the backpack rear side.
 13. A flexible cover structure adapted for protectively enclosing a golf club bag, the cover structure comprising: an elongated flexible cover member having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and providing an inner enclosure, said cover member having a front, rear and two opposite side portions and having a zipper fastener means extending along one of the cover member's two opposite sides and along its upper and lower end portions; a rigid base member provided attached to said cover member at the cover member lower end and having a rear extended portion extending upwardly along said cover member rear side, said base member having dual spaced-apart rollers each provided within a recess within said base member, and dual spaced-apart pedestals attached to the base member lower surface for supporting the cover member when in a generally upright position; dual elongated spaced-apart rigid bumper elements fixedly attached longitudinally to said rigid base member rear extended portion along its outer rear side; a handle means attached to said cover member upper end portion, and a handle means attached to said cover member along one side portion at an intermediate location thereof, said handles being adapted for moving or carrying the cover structure; and a detachable backpack unit removably attached to said cover member lower front side outer surface by zipper means extending around the periphery of the backpack unit, whereby said cover structure can securely retain a golf club bag within said inner enclosure and said detachable backpack unit can be removably detached from said flexible cover member for independent use. 